Koh Tarutao South Thailand Adventure Tour Program

Tarutao‘s most striking feature is the pristine hardwood forest that carpets the island. Hardwood trees up to 70 meters often extend down to water’s edge. This forest holds numerous species of mammals, birds and reptiles which may be seen on either nature walks or kayaking. During high season, four species of sea turtle nest within the Park, but sightings cannot be predicted. Tarutao’s estuaries contain large and pristine mangrove forests heavily populated by mammals, birds and reptiles. Sightings of macaques, langur, kingfishers, hornbills, pythons and water monitors are common. Of course, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Tarutao hosts several excellent sand camping beaches with simple comfortable bungalows available.

Koh Tarutao, was a prison for hundreds of political prisoners during the 1940’s. Visitors to Tarutao are attracted by historical remains as the island was once used as a maximum security center for first degree criminals and political prisoners, a place reminiscent of pains and bitterness suffered by the detainees.

Our Guides know the plants of the area and on the trips we can show you how to survive on what you can find in the natural surroundings. If you want we can show you the locations of the filming of Survivor.

About 51 large and small islands in the Straits of Malacca in the Indian Ocean have been established as “Tarutao National Park” as proclaimed in the Royal Gazette of April 20 ,1974. The park consists of 7 large islands namely, Tarutao, Adang, Rawi, Lipeh (Nipis), Dong (Budang), Lek (Bisi) and Klang (Tengah).

SEASON: November to April
SKILLS: Easy Sit-On-top kayaking with basic instruction provided. Ability to beach camp or sleep on deck of escort boat.
ACCESS: Tarutao trips depart from Pak Bara, an hour’s mini-van drive West of Haad Yai, the South’s major city. Haad Yai has numerous four-star hotels at very reasonable prices. An international airport receives regional flights, and domestic service by Thai Airways from Bangkok and Phuket.
DEPARTURES: Sunday mornings with 0800 pick-up from your hotel in Haad Yai or 0845 from your bungalow in Pak Bara If you wish, you can transfer to Pak Bara on Saturday afternoon for a bonus Sunset paddle and sleep on our escort boat at no extra cost. Pak Bara also has several inexpensive bungalows.

DAY ONE (Sunday)
08:00 Hotel pick-up
09:00 Arrive Pak Bara Pier, depart for Tarutao
10:30 Arrive Tarutao – paddle east coast
12:00 Lunch on board
13:00 Visit Old Prison
14:30 Return to Boat, motor to West Coast
16:00 Arrive West side camping beach
18:00 Dinner on board
19:00 Relax on beach and sleep

DAY TWO (Monday)
07:00 Early morning nature walk – expect wildlife but no guarantees
08:00 Breakfast on Board
09:00 Paddle estuary on West Coast
12:00 Lunch on board
13:00 Paddle West Coast Tarutao
16:00 Motor back to campsite
17:00 Beach or paddle Sunset
18:00 Dinner on Board
19:00 Night paddle
20:30 Return to campsite and sleep

DAY THREE (Tuesday)
08:00 Breakfast on Board
09:00 Explore second West Coast Estuary w/ picnic lunch
16:00 Arrive Park Headquarters and make camp on beautiful sand beach
18:00 Dinner on board

DAY FOUR (Wednesday)
07:00 Breakfast on board
08:00 Depart for Koh Adang/Rawi
10:00 Koh Adang Coastal paddling and clear water reef snorkeling
12:00 Return to escort boat for lunch
16:00 Return to escort boat to make camp
17:00 Sunset paddle
18:00 Dinner and beach camping

DAY FIVE (Thursday)
07:30 Breakfast on Escort boat
08:30 Motor to Koh Rawi
09:00 Koh Rawi coastal paddle and clear water reef snorkeling
12:00 Lunch on escort boat
13:00 Continue coastal paddle and snorkeling
15:00 Return to escort boat and depart for Koh Tarutao
17:00 Arrive Koh Tarutao National Park HQ and make camp
18:00 Sunset from Tarutao HQ Beach
19:00 Dinner on escort boat

DAY SIX (Friday)
07:00 Breakfast on Escort boat
08:00 Depart for Pak Bara
09:00 Arrive Pak Bara area, start rock garden paddle
12:00 Return to escort boat for lunch
13:00 Continue Pak Bara area coastal paddle including Triple entry Hong
16:00 Return to Pak Bara and transfer to airport or hotel in Haad Yai
17:30 Arrive hotel – end of Thailand Journey Adventure service

WE PROVIDE: Return transfers to Haad Yai, escort boat, all kayaking and guides, Thailand Journey Adventure Thai seafood meal plan and camping gear

You should bring the following on any Thailand Journey Adventure overnighter:
Hat, Shorts, Sleeping clothes, Sun block, Mosquito repellant (just in case), Sunglasses, Swimming gear, T shirts – protection from the sun, Toiletries, Towel/Sarong, Very light long pants – protection against mosquitoes, Beachcomber’s footgear (booties, Tevas, heavy-duty sandals, etc.) ,Camera
(We have dry bags, but Thailand Journey Adventure is not responsible for cameras optical or electronics gear.)

Product Information
Information contained in this document is not contractual. Information is offered to give an idea of the type of trip that is offered. Times and locales will often vary according to, weather and the decisions of the expedition leader. Our objective is to give customers the best possible experience within the time frame of the expedition and as a matter of policy we continually update and improve products to achieve this aim we are in regular contact with the rangers of the park.